The pace seems as fast as the technology. Verizon continues its aggressive 4G LTE roll out by adding 34 new markets, the company announced today. Verizon now claims they can reach 75% of the U.S. population across 371 markets. They have a commanding 4G LTE lead over other national carriers. AT&T is in about 50 markets and Sprint is in less than 20.
Verizon is on record as saying all existing Verizon 3G markets will be upgraded to 4G LTE. It looks like they are well on their way. “”We are ahead of schedule with our 4G LTE market roll out and will provide 4G LTE network coverage to more than 400 markets in the near future,” said Nicola Palmer, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless.
They are also expanding their existing LTE presence in 38 markets. In addition to mobile broadband, Verizon is also leveraging their LTE network for a fixed broadband service, called HomeFusion .
Given their distaste for rural wireline operations, HomeFusion may be teed up as a rural broadband option, perhaps eventually replacing much of their rural wireline network.
The new LTE markets include:
Hot Springs, Ark.; Redding, Calif.; Valdosta and Waycross, Ga.; Centralia and Danville, Ill.; Parsons, Salina and Topeka, Kan.; Alexandria and Monroe, La.; Pittsfield, Mass.; Battle Creek and Muskegon, Mich.; Mankato and Worthington, Minn.; Joplin and Sedalia, Mo.; Bismarck, Grand Forks and Minot, N.D.; Chillicothe, Ohio; Reading, Pa.; Aberdeen, S.D.; Laredo, Odessa and Texarkana, Texas; Brattleboro and White River Junction, Vt.; Charlottesville, Va.; Longview, Wash.; and Eau Claire, La Crosse and Manitowoc, Wis.
